Elaine Heltman

oboe

The Santa Fe Symphony’s Principal Oboist, Elaine Heltman, hails from Saddle Brook, New Jersey, and graduated from Ithaca College School of Music. While leading a high school marching band in New Jersey, she also studied with Joseph Robinson, former Principal Oboe of the New York Philharmonic. In 1981, Heltman’s career as a professional oboist was ignited when she was appointed to the Filarmónica de Caracas, Venezuela.

Elaine has performed as Principal Oboe of The Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, with the Musica Camerata Ensemble and in many other chamber ensembles. She played in Albuquerque for many years with the New Mexico Woodwind Quintet and was Principal Oboe with the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque.

Elaine is the adjunct oboe teacher at the New Mexico School for the Arts and works by day as a Project Manager at the State Land Office in the Office of General Counsel. In addition to teaching online lessons, lately, she’s been sewing masks for Operation Bandana New Mexico and tending a large backyard vegetable and flower garden.